Lee Soo-geun

Lee Soo-geun
Lee Soo-geun
Birth name	Lee Soo-geun
Born	February 10, 1975 (age 46); Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Medium	Stand-up comedy, television, master of ceremonies
Nationality	South Korea
Years active	1996–2013; 2015–Present
Genres	Comedy
Spouse	Park Ji-yeon
Notable works and roles	2 Days & 1 Night; Gag Concert; Knowing Bros; New Journey to the West; Kang's Kitchen; Player 7;
Korean name
Hangul	이수근
Hanja	李壽根
Revised Romanization	I Su-geun
McCune–Reischauer	I Sugŭn

Lee Soo-geun (Korean: 이수근; born February 10, 1975) is a South Korean comedian^[1] who has worked on a number of comedy shows on South Korean television. He began his career as a comedian on KBS Gag Concert, and is under the management of SM Culture & Contents agency.

Career[]

Before entering the entertainment industry, Lee worked as a recreational instructor,^[2] and entered a singing contest on MBC's River Music Festival (강변가요제). He was also an aerobics instructor. In October 2006, he began his own online internet shopping mall, selling clothes. In May 2008, he became an ambassador for the Pork Management Committee (양돈 자조금 관리위원회 홍보대사)

Lee has appeared on many reality-variety shows. He made a breakthrough in his career after appearing on KBS' Happy Sunday: 1 Night 2 Days. He was seen as the most hardworking member of the cast and was in charge of driving in the show, as he had a commercial coach license. After appearing on the show, he earned more recognition and was offered MC roles on other shows, such as season 2 of Sang Sang Plus, his first TV appearance in the role of an MC. His marriage was broadcast on national television on 1 Night 2 Days.

Up until 2012, he was signed under Castle J Entertainment, and on September 19, it was announced that he had signed exclusive contracts with SM C&C, a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, along with Kim Byung-man, immediately after fellow national MC Kang Ho-dong and Shin Dong-yup joined.^[3]^[4]

In December 2015, he reunited with Kang Ho-dong as a cast member for JTBC's new variety show, Knowing Bros.^[5]^[6]

In 2017, Lee Soo-geun appeared in more than ten programs over the course of a year and showed his unique charm in various programs.^[7]

Personal life[]

Lee married Park Ji-yeon in 2008. They have 2 sons from their marriage, Lee Tae-joon and Lee Tae-seo.^[8] Lee's mother is a shaman.^[9]

Controversies[]

In 2013, Lee was under the investigation for suspicion of online illegal gambling along with Tony An, Tak Jae-hoon, Andy Lee & Boom. Lee was involved in an illegal sports gambling scandal, in which he placed bets on the results of top division football teams in the United Kingdom by using an illegal online gambling website and cell phone text messages. Lee has claimed to have bet billions of Korean won on online sports betting websites. As a result of researching his gambling activities, Lee Soo-geun was found to have gambled using US$370.000 from December 2008 to June 2011. In the first public trial on the morning of December 6, 2013, Judge Shin Myung-hee of the Seoul Central Prosecutor's Office charged Lee Soo Geun with eight months in prison and two years of probation. Lee Soo Geun, who appeared in the first public trial with his lawyer, repeatedly acknowledged his crime and begged for mercy.^[10] After two years of self-restraint time at home, he returned with billiards competition show "Juk-bang Legend". Before filming the first episode of the show, Lee said "I will restart as if it is my first time."^[11]

Discography[]

2020: "SWAG" (ft. Chin Chilla and Jiselle) - Show Me The Play 2 Final
2019: "White Winter" (with. Kim Hee-chul) - STATION X 4 LOVEs for Winter Part.3
2010: "Huk" (ft. Eun Jiwon)
2009: "Happy Song" (ft. Ez-Life)
2009: "Let's Keep Going Until the End" (ft. Eun Jiwon)

Filmography[]

Year	Title	Network
2015–present	Knowing Bros	JTBC
2018–present	Lee Soo Geun's Channel	DIA TV
2019–present	Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller	KBS Joy
2021–present	Trust Me and Follow Me, Urban Fishermen 3	Channel A
	The Girls Who Hit Goals	SBS TV
	My Neighborhood Class	LG U +theLIFE
	True Golfer	TVING
	Gag Winner(s)	KBS2^[12]
	Mamma Mian	MBC Every1
2022	Fantastic Family	SBS^[13]

Web Shows[]

Year	Title	Platform	Role	Notes	Ref.
2021	Mister Camper	YouTube, , Naver TV	Cast Member	with Cho Kyu-hyun	^[14]

Awards[]

Year	Award Show	Award
2006	KBS Entertainment Awards	Excellent Corner Award for Comedy Division
2007	KBS Entertainment Awards	Best Entertainer's Award (Men Division)
2008	KBS Entertainment Awards	New Male MC Award (Variety Show Division)
2008	15th Korea Entertainment Awards	Comedian Award
2009	KBS Entertainment Awards	Male MC Award (Variety Show Division)
2010	Mnet 20's Choice Awards	Mnet 20's Choice 20th Most influential star
	The 11th Korea Visual Arts Competition	Portfolio Award
	KBS Entertainment Awards	Excellence Award (Variety Show Division)
2011	Baeksang Arts Awards	Best Male Variety Performer
	23rd Korea PD Awards	Comedian Award
	The 38th Korea Broadcasting Awards	Personal Comedy Division
	KBS Entertainment Awards	Top Excellence Award
	KBS Entertainment Awards	Entertainment Daesang - 1N2D team members
2012	3rd Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards	Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism citation
2016	The 10th Cable TV Broadcasting	Popular Star - as MC of Juk-bang Legend (죽방전설)
2019	Brand Of The Year Awards	Male Variety Star
2021	SBS Entertainment Awards	Best Couple Award with Bae Sung-jae – Kick A Goal^[15]

Listicles[]

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher	Year	Listicle	Placement	Ref.
Forbes	2010	Korea Power Celebrity	39th	^[16]
Forbes	2020	Korea Power Celebrity	8th	^[17]

References[]

^ Jeong-hyun, Ryu (10 December 2010). "Celebrities say age-gap makes no difference in planning marriage". Korea Herald. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
^ "Knowing Brother: Episode 84". Kshow123. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
^ Ho, Stewart (September 19, 2012). "Lee Su Geun, Kim Byung Man Join Kang Ho Dong at SM C&C". Mwave. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
^ "Jang Dong Gun, Kim Ha Neul, Han Ji Min, Lee Soo Geun, Kim Byung Man, and more become part of SM Entertainment's SM C&C". Allkpop. September 19, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
^ Yoon, Dong Won. "'아는 형님' 강호동 이수근 민경훈 출연확정…12월을 수놓는 8인의 별들!". Retrieved 2016-05-15.
^ Chae, Sun Ah. "강호동 '아는형님' 출연확정, 이수근도 끌고 간다…어떤 예능일까?". Retrieved 2016-05-15.
^ "SM Entertainment". www.smentertainment.com (in Korean). 2 January 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
^ "GET TO KNOW COMEDIAN AND ENTERTAINER, LEE SOO-GEUN: PROFILE, FAMILY, REALITY AND VARIETY SHOW APPEARANCES". channel-korea.com. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
^ "Lee Soo Geun sheds tears opening up about his mother". allkpop.com. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
^ Son, Angela (December 7, 2013). "Lee Soo Geun, Taek Jae Hoon, Tony Ahn Charged With 1 Year In Prison". KDramaStars. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
^ "Lee Soo-geun's return show". 15 June 2015.
^ Lee Kyung-ho (October 5, 2021). "KBS, 新코미디 서바이벌 타이틀 '개승자(들)' 확정..11월13일 첫방[★NEWSing]" [KBS, New Comedy Survival Title 'Winner(s)' confirmed.. First broadcast on November 13th [NEWSing]]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Naver.
^ Kim Na-young (January 20, 2022). "이수근, SBS 음악 예능 '판타스틱 패밀리' 단독 MC 낙점" [Lee Soo-geun, SBS music entertainment 'Fantastic Family' sole MC] (in Korean). MK Sports. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Naver.
^ Jo Ji-young (September 27, 2021). "[공식] '미스터 캠퍼' 이수근X규현 합류..티키타카 여행기 29일 공개" [[Official] 'Mr. Camper' Lee Soo-geun X Kyu-hyun joins... Tiki Taka's travel diary released on the 29th]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved September 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^ Oh Yoon-joo (December 18, 2021). "이수근X배성재, 베스트 커플상 "영원하자"→"♥아내 이해할 것" [2021 SBS 연예대상]" [Lee Soo-geun X Bae Seong-jae, Best Couple Award "Let's be forever" → "♥ My wife will understand" [2021 SBS Entertainment Awards]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved December 18, 2021 – via Naver.
^ "Celebrity List". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). February 23, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2021 – via Joins.
^ Kim, Min-soo; Shin, Yoon-ae (April 23, 2020). 2020 포브스코리아 선정 파워 셀럽 40 [40 Power Celebrities selected by Forbes Korea 2020]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Joins.

External links[]

이수근 (Lee So Geun) on Cyworld (in Korean)

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Shin Bong-sun	KBS Entertainment Awards for Best Male MC 2009 2010	Succeeded by -
Preceded by Han Seok-joon	KBS Entertainment Awards for Best Newcomer MC 2008	Succeeded by Jeon Hyun-moo
Preceded by Kim Jong-min	KBS Entertainment Awards for Best Entertainer 2007	Succeeded by Kim Sung-min Kim Tae-won Lee Ha-neul

[1] Jeong-hyun, Ryu (10 December 2010). "Celebrities say age-gap makes no difference in planning marriage". Korea Herald. Retrieved 11 May 2011.

[2] "Knowing Brother: Episode 84". Kshow123. Retrieved October 16, 2017.

[3] Ho, Stewart (September 19, 2012). "Lee Su Geun, Kim Byung Man Join Kang Ho Dong at SM C&C". Mwave. Retrieved October 16, 2017.

[4] "Jang Dong Gun, Kim Ha Neul, Han Ji Min, Lee Soo Geun, Kim Byung Man, and more become part of SM Entertainment's SM C&C". Allkpop. September 19, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2017.

[5] Yoon, Dong Won. "'아는 형님' 강호동 이수근 민경훈 출연확정…12월을 수놓는 8인의 별들!". Retrieved 2016-05-15.

[6] Chae, Sun Ah. "강호동 '아는형님' 출연확정, 이수근도 끌고 간다…어떤 예능일까?". Retrieved 2016-05-15.

[7] "SM Entertainment". www.smentertainment.com (in Korean). 2 January 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.

[8] "GET TO KNOW COMEDIAN AND ENTERTAINER, LEE SOO-GEUN: PROFILE, FAMILY, REALITY AND VARIETY SHOW APPEARANCES". channel-korea.com. Retrieved 15 July 2020.

[9] "Lee Soo Geun sheds tears opening up about his mother". allkpop.com. Retrieved 15 July 2020.

[10] Son, Angela (December 7, 2013). "Lee Soo Geun, Taek Jae Hoon, Tony Ahn Charged With 1 Year In Prison". KDramaStars. Retrieved October 16, 2017.

[11] "Lee Soo-geun's return show". 15 June 2015.

[12] Lee Kyung-ho (October 5, 2021). "KBS, 新코미디 서바이벌 타이틀 '개승자(들)' 확정..11월13일 첫방[★NEWSing]" [KBS, New Comedy Survival Title 'Winner(s)' confirmed.. First broadcast on November 13th [NEWSing]]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Naver.

[13] Kim Na-young (January 20, 2022). "이수근, SBS 음악 예능 '판타스틱 패밀리' 단독 MC 낙점" [Lee Soo-geun, SBS music entertainment 'Fantastic Family' sole MC] (in Korean). MK Sports. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Naver.

[14] Jo Ji-young (September 27, 2021). "[공식] '미스터 캠퍼' 이수근X규현 합류..티키타카 여행기 29일 공개" [[Official] 'Mr. Camper' Lee Soo-geun X Kyu-hyun joins... Tiki Taka's travel diary released on the 29th]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved September 27, 2021 – via Naver.

[15] Oh Yoon-joo (December 18, 2021). "이수근X배성재, 베스트 커플상 "영원하자"→"♥아내 이해할 것" [2021 SBS 연예대상]" [Lee Soo-geun X Bae Seong-jae, Best Couple Award "Let's be forever" → "♥ My wife will understand" [2021 SBS Entertainment Awards]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved December 18, 2021 – via Naver.

[16] "Celebrity List". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). February 23, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2021 – via Joins.

[17] Kim, Min-soo; Shin, Yoon-ae (April 23, 2020). 2020 포브스코리아 선정 파워 셀럽 40 [40 Power Celebrities selected by Forbes Korea 2020]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Joins.

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v t Baeksang Arts Award for Best Male Variety Performer
1980s	Lee Ju-il and Im Ha-ryong (1986) Lee Yong-shik (1987) Seo Se-won and Kim Jeong-sik (1988) Kim Han-guk and Choi Byung-seo (1989)
1990s	Motion Stop Team (1990) Kim Jeong-sik (1991) Lee Kyung-kyu (1992) Choi Yang-rak (1993) Shin Dong-yup (1994) Lee Chang-hoon (1995) Kim Hyung-gon (1996) Kim Gook-jin (1997) Kim Hyung-gon (1998) Nam Hee-suk (1999)
2000s	(2000) Kim Yong-man (2001) (2002) Kang Ho-dong (2003) Kim Je-dong (2004) Cultwo (2005) Yoo Jae-suk (2006) (2007) Park Myung-soo (2008) Kim Byung-man (2009)
2010s	Park Seong-ho (2010) Lee Soo-geun (2011) Kim Jun-hyun (2012) Kim Byung-man (2013) Shin Dong-yup (2014) Jun Hyun-moo (2015) Kim Gu-ra (2016) Yang Se-hyung (2017) Seo Jang-hoon (2018) Jun Hyun-moo (2019)
2020s	Yoo Jae-suk (2020) Lee Seung-gi (2021)